STUDIES ON APPLE BRUISING .2. THE EFFECTS OF FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS, HARVEST DATE AND PRECOOLING ON BRUISE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF 3 APPLE CULTIVARS

The effect of harvest dates, precooling and fruit characteristics on t he bruise occurrence in three apple cultivars (Aroma, Cox's Orange Pip pin, Ingrid Marie) have been studied. Bruise weight percentage (BWP) i ncreased by delayed harvest in Aroma and Ingrid Marie but did not affe ct fruits of Cox's Orange Pippin. Fruits of the bruising sensitive cul tivars, Aroma and Ingrid Marie, responded positively to precooling, wh ereas Cox's Orange Pippin did not. No relationships were noted between storage conditions, fruit firmness, colour and bruise. Large fruits b ruised more than small fruits.